The cycling jersey is a very specific piece of gear that’ll help keep you on your “A” Game. Whether it’s for commuting, a casual pedal with the family, a long weekend ride out with friends, or a Sportive, a decent cycling jersey is a must.
On the whole, jerseys tend to be made largely from polyester, with a hint of elastane (or lycra). This gives them the ideal qualities you’ll be wanting to keep you comfortable - disability, elasticity, great wicking, quick drying and lightweight.
There are also alternative options which use natural and more eco friendly fabrics. Look out for merino wool if you don’t go in for that skin tight lycra clad look, woven fabrics as well as recycled polyesters.
The aero effects of a skin tight jersey are huge too, so don’t underestimate the value of this investment to give you added wattage and speed on your rides.
Lastly, you know your own body shape, and whether you like the super skin tight jersey, or something that’s more forgiving. Be sure to pick something that you know will work for you.
Rapha Pro Team Training Jersey
A brand new great looking addition to the Rapha product line, this is the perfect balance between technical, comfort and durability. Placing it on, it perfectly accommodates and fits the shape of your body - there’s no feeling of having to breath in or really yank it around you to fit in it. So it’s just the right level of tightness. The fabric on the front and arms is semi translucent with tiny perforations evident when you hold it upto the light - this is great for breathable and wicking.
The panel on the back is made from a closer knit fabric which helps avoid sagging when the three pockets are fully loaded. There’s a really nice almost 2 inch wide elasticated silicone gripper all around the hem which keeps it in place really well and avoids it riding up. A nice band of elasticated material is at the end of the sleeves. It comes in some really cool colour ways too. This is a fantastic jersey - technical, really comfortable, great looking, and all at a brilliant price.
Assos Equipe RE Aero Jersey
This jersey, from high quality Swiss cycling apparel, is brilliantly designed and manufactured. The Equipe RS is their race collection, and what’s obvious from the Aero jersey from the moment you wear it is that it’s built for speed and performance. There is no particular neck piece which gives it that aero look and it’s properly body hugging all round. It is made from a nice textured 3D knit fabric with a matt finish, and the back panel has a great cooling effect.
The pockets and sleeves are made from a nice stretchy (and again matt finish) fabric. The sleeves are finished at the ends for added durability. This is super technical, perfect for those looking for those marginal gains, yet is still accommodating to the everyday rider.
Rapha Special Edition Country Jersey
A relaxed fitting retro jersey made in honour of 1970s champion Belgian rider Jean-Pierre Monseré. It uses a mix of knitted merino and polyester - the former used for the (quite tall) double walled collar, hem and cuffs which all feel really lux and have a stretch quality to them.
The main body panels use polyester so it will still perform in a technical capacity too. it feels really lovely and comfortable - a fantastic option if you want an alternative to skin tight lycra. The rear pockets on the back each have a button, plus there’s subtle embroidered with Monseré race number and finishing time which is a lovely touch. A quarter length zipper with round metallic pull detail on the front rounds of a brilliant alternative jersey to the more modern look.
dhb Aeron Lab Featherlight Short Sleeve Jersey
A performance jersey ideal for British summers of sunshine and getting caught in showers. Utilising a technical and innovative fabric that brings with it great water and wind resistance, particularly when it’s in a super light package at just 95grams. The sleek almost matt looking and feeling fabric is relatively thin yet still feels durable, and the 23 per cent spandex means it has a nice bit of flex delivering a skin tight fit. Discrete yet reflective features on the front sleeves and back, and three pockets to the rear that are fitted with elastication on the top ensuring stashed valuables don’t bounce out.
The hem on the front arcs up quite aggressively so it is on the shorter side of things, but intentionally so as this is a race cut, and the arms are longer than most which we actually like, plus they’re nicely skin tight. With a minimalist and sleek look that oozes performance, cyclists pushing for KOMs and great gear for all weather rides will love this.
Le Col Pro Jersey
Top end British cycling brand Le Col turn out quality gear, and their new Pro Jersey is a great option for the performance and style conscientious riders. It’s a body hugging fit made from polyester and elastane mix, this premium material has a good amount of stretch and a nice matt finish and weight to it providing good longevity. Embroidered gold stitched logos on the front and back add to the quality feel.
Other great flourishes include a generous reflective strip on the back, three nicely secure pockets and a waterproof zippered one.
Albion Short Sleeve Jersey
Albion’s new jerseys are made from a recycled polyester, with a touch of elastane, making this a quick drying and wicking performance stretchy fabric. The fit is close, almost skin tight, on the body, armpits and sleeves. The sleeve length is long and is nicely finished with stitching.
The body length is on the shorter side, so this is a consideration if you’re on the taller side or know you’ve got a longer torso. Three modestly sized pockets on the rear to stash your gear (nb, no zippered one), and a generous band of silicone gripper on the back
Proviz Long-Sleeve Jersey
This long sleeved jersey is ideal for daily urban cycling, or where the daily realities of commuting mean a sleek skin tight lycra number is totally impractical. Made from a soft feel polyester with SPF40 protection, it’s really breathable so avoids you getting smelly (plus antibacterial finish), and it’s really nicely cut - relaxed and roomy, just enough for a t shirt underneath should you wish, yet not baggy to be flapping around. Great visibility yellow stripes down both arms, and three really deep pockets on the rear. It maybe cheap, but this is a decent jersey.
Chapeau Club Jersey Pro
A superbly crafted jersey that’ll have you looking just as good for that espresso and cake stop as well as on the bike. It’s really well cut and proportioned - nicely snug fit around the neck and not too tight under the armpit.
At the bottom around the elasticated and gripper lined hem, the cut is relatively straight, so no embarrassing belly button exposure, but equally it doesn’t bunch up too much when on the bike. There are stretchy panels down each side, and the longish arms have some nice detailing vertical line grooves. Available in a number of different colourways, this is a great technical and well fitting jersey at a decent price.
Wearwell Revival Jersey - Second Edition
This classically design jersey takes its cues from the original Wearwell kit worn by the Tour of Britain team of 1953. It’s a summer weight jersey for riders looking for that next to skin, low drag fit. The lightweight fabric - 80 per cent polyester and 20 per cent lycra - has a nice stretchy and elasticity, and in terms of cut the hem arcs up slightly on the front ensuring comfort for extended time in the saddle. The sleeves have a band of perforated fabric which is a great feature, and it is simple and classically styled with bold stripe on the front and back (stitched) complete with a cool statement logo on the front. A fascinating history; Iconic British bicycle manufacturer Wearwell was founded in 1889, and after closing in 1975, the brand was revived in 2017 by two sports obsessed friends. They’re also offering a 40 per cent for NHS frontline workers, which shows the brand’s heart is in the right place
Prendas St Raphael Geminiani Quinquina Retro Jersey
A must in any cyclist's wardrobe - the retro jersey. This particular one was made famous by five time Tour de France winner Jacques Anquetil in the 1950s and 60s. Italian made, it’s a great piece of kit at an affordable price too. The fit is more relaxed and not skin tight like many modern counterparts. It's made from a nice feeling lightweight 100 per cent polyester so it’s wicking, quick drying and will withstand wash after wash. A 14cm zip on the front, three good sized pockets in the back and silicone gripper round off this perfectly executed jersey that’ll put a smile on your and your fellow riders’ faces. The neck comes up ever so slightly higher, as was the style then.
Gore C3 Jersey
This 100 per cent polyester jersey has a more relaxed fit - if you like your jerseys skin tight perhaps size down. It has longer sleeves, adding to a more casual overall feel, much more akin to a regular t-shirt. It’s got a good silicone gripper all around the waist, three decent pockets on the back and a zippered compartment for some cash or credit card. A nice jersey if you’re doing a more relaxed ride with the family, or a more casual pedal around the park.
Megmeister Premium Woven Stripe Jersey
This Dutch cycling apparel brand produce innovative and highly technical garments. None more so than this jersey with the main chest and back panels made from a mix of dyed yarns and regenerated polyester which is much better for the environment than conventional cycling wear manufacture. It has a skin tight fit all round, so you for sure won’t loose any seconds from drag. Maybe opt for the larger size you normally choose from. The woven texture - as well as being great at moisture management - has a nice matt feel and look to it, which has a more modest effect so no embarrassing nipple show-age if it’s chilly which you get in other polyester / lycra options! Three pockets on the back, silicone gripper band concludes a technically capable as well as environmentally conscientious choice.
Vulpine Alpine Merino Blend Long Sleeve Jersey
Made from merino wool, this subtle looking long sleeve jersey has a luxurious quality to it. Technically too, it stacks up given the inherent characteristics of this natural fibre - great breathability and natural wicking, heat regulation (both for heat and cooling), resistance to odours and bacteria, and of course that soft touch. There is a touch of polyester too for durability and to ensure it holds its shape.
On the back are three pockets plus a zipped one for keys and cards, some reflective detailing and a thick band of silicon to grip the back of your waist. The arms are a generous length so no worries about them coming up short, and the body is a more generous length too. In terms of fit, it’s more relaxed in all all areas of the body, so not tight in your armpits, waist, chest or arms. A great option for those early morning rides when there’s a nip in the air.
Verdict:
If you’re looking to shave time off your PB, or taking part in a time trial, the Assos Equipe RE Aero Jersey is just the job and an almost professional grade piece of kit.
If you want a more relaxed weekend jersey for longer rides where you’re cruising and perhaps stopping for a nice lunch that is super comfortable, the Rapha Special Edition Country Jersey is just the job.
